Tray doily



Dec. 12, 1961 M. GROSS ETAI. 3,012,691

TRAY DOILY Filed Aug. 10. 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Martin Gross 6215 John Koo/es 1N VEN TORS BY 2mm ud awayzy amfzn Dec. 12 1961 M. GROSS ETI'AL 3,01

TRAY DOILY Filed Aug. 10. 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Martin Gross Gus John Koo/es 1N VENTORS ecu Wavy EM United States Patent Ofiice 3,012,691 Patented Dec. 12, 1961 3,012,691 TRAY DOILY Martin Gross and Gus John Kooles, both of 44 Patton Ave, Asheville, N.C. Filed Aug. 10, 1959, Ser. No. 832,653 3 Claims. (Cl. 220-65) This invention relates to coverings and more particularly to a doily to be used in connection with drive-in restaurant serving trays.

An object of the invention is to provide a more sanitary method of serving food on serving trays used currently in drive-in restaurants.

A principal feature of the invention is found in a separable receptacle connected with the main body of the doily whereby debris may be collected therein or, at the option of the patron, portions of food may be wrapped so as to be more easily carried away.

Briefly, the invention is embodied in a flat disposable or non-disposable panel with means at one edge thereof, preferably at two corners, to engage the corners of a serving tray. There is a receptacle attached to the panel by means of a weakened line area long the edge of the panel which is opposite to the edge at which the panel is fastened to the tray. The receptacle may be simply torn off the doily panel and used in any capacity.

A further object of the invention is to provide a practical, mechanically simple device of a nature to be described which is easily manufactured and very easy to use both as to application and removal from a serving tray.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top view of a blank from which the doily and receptacle is constructed.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the blank which has been shaped into the doily.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view showing the doily in use.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale and taken on a line 4-4 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on a line 5-5 of FIGURE 3.

In the accompanying drawings reference is first made to FIGURE 1. Doily 141 is constructed of a panel 12 of approximately rectangular shape and having four rounded corners 13, 14, 15 and 16. Rounded or arcuate slits 17 and 18, following the contour of rounded corners 13 and 14 but spaced therefrom, are formed in panel 12 in order to form loops engageable over the beaded corners 19 and 2t) of tray 21 for anchoring this side of the doily to the corresponding side of said tray. Tray 21 is a conventional serving tray adapted to be in some way, fastened to a motor vehicle or adjacent to a motor vehicle, for example on a stand, in a drive-in restaurant or any other place where food is served in this way. FIGURE 3 shows tray 21 attached to the door of motor vehicle 22, but this is only one current method of serving in drive-in restaurants, each of which are capable of benefitting from the use of doily 10.

A rectangular bag blank or pattern 23 is joined along tear line 24 to one edge of panel 12. The tear line may be formed by perforations, scoring or otherwise weakening along a line area which also forms the juncture between pattern 23 and panel 12. There are seven transverse fold lines 24, 25, 26, 27, 23, 3tv and 32 representing increases inasmuch as pattern 23 is adapted to be creased along these lines. The lines define rectangular strips 33,

34, 35, 36, 37 and 38 with strips 37 and 38 supplied with an adhesive, strip 39 along one longitudinal edge of pattern 23. Strips 33 and 34 are formed in a V-shape as are strips 37 and 3S, and they overlie (FIGURE 4) and are adhered together by the adhesive on strips 37 and 38. Strips 35 and 36 are folded along lines 26, 27 and 28 which form a group apart from lines 24, 25 and 30, 32. These form the opposite side of the bag or receptacle 44 made complete when the lower edge thereof is sealed by the adhesive of strip 39.

By forming a receptacle in accordance with the above description, there is an accordion receptacle fashioned much along the lines of a common paper bag. However it is capable of hanging (FIGURE 3) from the general plane of panel 12 when the panel is placed on the top surface of serving tray 21.

An approximately U-shaped slit 50 adjacent to the weakened line 24 defines a tongue 52 and leaves an opening by which to hang the receptacle in the motor vehicle, for instance on the cigar lighter or some other place after the receptacle is separated from the balance of the doily.

In use, panel 12 is applied on the top surface of tray 21. It is held in place by engaging the slits 17 and 18 over the corners 19 and 20 of tray 21. If a plastic material is used, for instance one of the flexible plastics, panel 12 will follow the contour very nicely of the tray 21. However, flexible paper or kraft paper or other suitable materials of construction may be resorted to in practice of the invention.

The dimension of the tray and doily are such that the tear line 24 is on the upper edge of one side of tray 21 so that receptacle 44 hangs down from the edge of the tray 21 opposite to that which is fastened onto corners 19 and 20.

After being served on the doily, the patron may deposit trash or other refuse in receptacle 44. Should the patron choose, the receptacle may be torn off for placing unused food therein; for wrapping; and for carrying the uneaten food in the motor vehicle.

The foregoing is considered as illustrated only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination, a generally rectangular serving tray, a doily mounted in the tray and conforming substantially to the shape and dimensions thereof, means comprising loops anchoring one end portion of said doily to the corresponding end portion of said tray, and a bag mounted on and suspended from the other end of said doily for anchoring same to the tray.

2. In combination, a generally rectangular serving tray, a panel removably mounted in said tray and conforming substantially to the shape and dimensions thereof, said panel having slits in the corners of one end portion thereof defining loops engaged over the corresponding corner portions of the tray and anchoring said panel thereto, and a bag mounted on and suspended from the other end of the panel for anchoring same to the tray.

3. In combination, a generally rectangular serving tray for mounting on an elevated support, a generally rectangular panel removably mounted in the tray and conforming substantially to the length and width thereof, said panel having arcuate slits in the corner portions of one end portion thereof defining loops engageable over the corresponding corner portions of the tray for anchoring the panel thereto, and an integral bag hingedly and de- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Porter May 26, 1914 4 Faas Nov. 29, 1927 Gray Apr. 17, 1934 Brown July 2, 1940 Geckler et a1. Oct. 6, 1953 Latvala et a1. Nov. 29, 1955 Hargraves May 19, 1959 

